EDMONTON - Pat White’s initiation into his first CFL experience has been about as far from Canadian as it gets considering this week’s Edmonton Eskimos mini camp is being held in Bradenton, Fla.

But while his surroundings are familiar, the former NCAA star quarterback is noticing the not-so-subtle differences in the northern style of football beginning to emerge.

“The ball’s a little bit different and there’s an extra defender out there that I’ve got to look out for,” said White, who is getting his first on-field look at the team since being offered a two-year contract by the Eskimos back in January. “Like I’d been told, this is a top-notch organization.

“I enjoy the atmosphere, I enjoy the staff and right now, I’m just trying to learn as much as I can so I will be prepared for when we show up for training camp (in June).”

But for now, White finds himself in the sunny south getting in his first few tosses with a CFL team.